Sports TV News
NFL Reporter John Clayton Dies
“John Clayton was 67 years old. He is survived by his wife Pat.”
Published
2 months agoon
By
BSM Staff
Longtime NFL reporter John Clayton passed away on Friday. His friend Jeff Muzzy broke the news via Twitter.
I'm posting a notice of personal friend and hall of fame broadcaster John Clayton @JohnClaytonNFL passing today at 3pm. Condolences to Pat and family. pic.twitter.com/JjU8sAfE1P
— Jeff Muzzy (@jeffmu) March 19, 2022
Clayton began covering the NFL in 1972 while he was still in high school. He continued covering the Steelers for local publications in Pittsburgh until he left for Seattle in 1986.
Most sports fans will remember Clayton for his time at ESPN. He joined the network in 1995 and was there until 2017. During that time, Clayton became one of the nation’s top NFL insiders. His SportsCenter segments with former ESPN NFL analyst Sean Salisbury became appointment television, and his SportsCenter commercial remains one of the best ever created.
John became an important member of the Seattle sports radio scene too, starting his career at 950 KJR before moving to 710 ESPN, now know as 710 Seattle Sports. He also contributed to Seattle Seahawks radio broadcasts and made regular appearances on stations across the country including 104.3 The Fan in Denver, ESPN 1000 in Chicago, 101 ESPN in St. Louis, 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh and The Mightier 1090 in San Diego.
Friends across the sports media industry took to social media to share their grief and tributes to the man affectionately nicknamed ’The Professor’.
John was a huge part of the success all of us at KJR enjoyed in the 90s. He was as unique as anyone I ever worked with. The original NFL information guy. My best to his loved ones, especially Pat. https://t.co/DWFYtGn0hL
— Mike Gastineau (@gasman206) March 19, 2022
Heartbroken. Mentor. Friend. Always there for me. Played a crucial role in my career. The list of people that owe him for his guidance is immeasurable. He will be missed tremendously. R.I.P. to a Hall of Famer and Seattle legend. Love you man. https://t.co/YFNE1oPU1b
— Dave “Softy” Mahler (@Softykjr) March 19, 2022
John Clayton, a first-class NFL insider and our beloved longtime ESPN colleague, died today.
— Don Van Natta Jr. (@DVNJr) March 19, 2022
He also starred in the greatest This Is SportsCenter commercial of all time.
RIP, Johnpic.twitter.com/5s5H0gQZcu
John Clayton. I am broken right now.
— Jason Smith (@howaboutafresca) March 19, 2022
John Clayton, good friend, great reporter. Be at ease.
— Woody Paige (@woodypaige) March 19, 2022
My friend of 22 years John Clayton died. He was one of those colleagues who was not only always eager to help you, but went above and beyond to help. He took his work seriously, with all his files and spreadsheets, but not himself. RIP to a gentleman and Hall of Famer.
— Seth Wickersham (@SethWickersham) March 19, 2022
John Clayton was a treat on TV, inside the huddle, & had the best Sportscenter commercial.
— Silvy (@WaddleandSilvy) March 19, 2022
He also helped grow @ESPN1000.
His hits w/ MJH were can’t miss.
1st seg news. 2nd seg questions from fans.
And then was a part of the show w/ @TWaddle87 & me for yrs. #RIP to a great man.
Incredibly sad day for the entire 710, Seattle, and football communities as we lost John Clayton. On a personal note, I was lucky enough to talk with him and loved our banter. He is an absolute titan in our industry and will be missed immeasurably. My condolences to Pat.
— Mike Salk, Seattle Sports Station (@TheMikeSalk) March 19, 2022
I’m heartbroken to hear the news of my dear friend John Clayton’s passing. He was so kind and gracious with his time I will forever be grateful. I pray 🙏🏼 for peace that surpasses understanding for his wife Patricia and his friends and family. RIP pic.twitter.com/9iWw6RmQl2
— Mark Schlereth (@markschlereth) March 19, 2022
I did my very first draft for ESPN on #ESPNRadio in 2014 in NYC with John Clayton, Mark Schlereth, and Dari Nowkhah. John could not have been nicer, more professional,more helpful to me. And we had never even met before that event. Says a lot about him. Says everything. #RIP JC
— Louis Riddick (@LRiddickESPN) March 19, 2022
I am heartbroken. John was family to me. The very best TV partner. I’ve often said John would be the guy who would stop everything he was doing, to make sure anyone would have everything they needed. A loyal life friend to me. A phenomenal man. Our friendship was special. 🙏❤️ https://t.co/QbBsi9bg4j
— Sean Salisbury (@SeanUnfiltered) March 19, 2022
John Clayton was 67 years old. He is survived by his wife Pat.
Sports TV News
NFL Considers Ending Pro Bowl Amidst Low Ratings
“Mark Maske of The Washington Post reports the future of the Pro Bowl was discussed on Tuesday during the owners’ meetings in Atlanta.”
Published
1 hour agoon
May 25, 2022By
BSM Staff
The NFL is obsessed with TV ratings. It isn’t a surprise that the league may not be willing to tolerate the Pro Bowl underperforming for much longer.
In 2022, the NFL’s all-star game produced it’s lowest ratings in 16 years. Fewer that 7 million people tuned in to watch the game across ABC, ESPN and DisneyXD.
“The (Pro Bowl) game doesn’t work,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said Tuesday after the owners’ meeting in Atlanta. “We need to find another way to celebrate the players.”
There are two proposed alternatives that have been reported. The Washington Post says the league is considering launching a seven-on-seven competition. It would not include tackling or full clocks. The other report comes from Ian Rapport of the NFL Network. He says the league is considering hosting a series of skills competitions over the course of what would be branded an all-star week. The NFL has partnered with DirecTV in the past to present similar events during Super Bowl Week.
No details have emerged or final decisions made. Mark Maske of The Washington Post reports the future of the Pro Bowl was discussed on Tuesday during the owners’ meetings in Atlanta.
Sports TV News
Former Hulu Exec Michael Schneider Hired To Run Bally Sports+
“Schneider previously was VP of brand and content marketing at Hulu, where he had involvement in various marketing efforts for Hulu + Live TV.”

Published
23 hours agoon
May 24, 2022
Sinclair Broadcast Group and Diamond Sports Group have tapped Michael Schneider as the chief operating officer and general manager of Bally Sports+ when it launches this year.
Schneider will oversee the direct-to-consumer platform that will also be the hub for Bally Sports live programming.
Schneider previously was VP of brand and content marketing at Hulu, where he had involvement in various marketing efforts for Hulu + Live TV.
“Throughout his career, Michael has successfully launched and developed DTC streaming and service platforms and created immersive engagement experiences,” said Sinclair COO and president of broadcast Rob Weisbord. “He is a terrific addition to the team as we build out the Bally Sports+ offering, its exclusive content and passionate fan community.”
Even before Hulu, Schneider had a hand in streaming. He was a founding member of the PlayStation Vue launch team.
Jordan Bondurant
Jordan Bondurant is a features reporter for Barrett News Media. He also works for ABC8 News and Newsradio WRVA and 910 The Fan in Richmond, Virginia. His prior experiences include working for the Richmond Times-Dispatch, the Danville Register & Bee, Virginia Lawyers Weekly and iHeartradio Richmond. He can be reached by email at Jordan.E.Bondurant@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @J__Bondurant.
Sports TV News
Marquee Sports Network Weighs Streaming Options Outside of Bally Sports+
“Marquee GM Mike McCarthy said to Sports Business Journal there’s no rush, but the network is hopeful they can have something in time for the 2023 season.”

Published
24 hours agoon
May 24, 2022
As Sinclair Broadcast Group prepares to launch Bally Sports+, its direct-to-consumer platform that will be home to Bally Sports live events, the Chicago Cubs are weighing their options for Marquee Sports Network, which the team co-owns with Sinclair.
Despite being under the Sinclair umbrella, Marquee is its own free-standing RSN from the rest of the Bally Sports networks across the country.
Marquee is readily available on a number of cable providers, but the only thing that’s really missing is its own standalone streaming platform for games. Marquee GM Mike McCarthy said to Sports Business Journal there’s no rush, but the network is hopeful they can have something in time for the 2023 season.
“We’re always interested in being on the cutting edge with the ultimate deliverable to our consumer,” McCarthy said. “But there isn’t any contractual clock ticking to make us feel that way. It’s how we’ve approached things from the beginning. Between our two ownership groups, there’s a lot of aggression to get it right. And I think you’ll see something along those lines shortly.”
The TV ratings will always be of top interest for MLB, especially regional ratings. But as the league has worked to embrace more streaming options for games, striking deals with Apple and Peacock for rights this season, it’s all about providing what the fans and viewers want.
“We now have the ability to do so much more, to properly tell the story of a 162-game season,” said Crane Kenney, Chicago Cubs president of business operations. Kenney was instrumental in the launch of Marquee. “We love baseball, we love the game, and we love the opportunity we have to share it with our fans in really deep ways.”
Jordan Bondurant
Jordan Bondurant is a features reporter for Barrett News Media. He also works for ABC8 News and Newsradio WRVA and 910 The Fan in Richmond, Virginia. His prior experiences include working for the Richmond Times-Dispatch, the Danville Register & Bee, Virginia Lawyers Weekly and iHeartradio Richmond. He can be reached by email at Jordan.E.Bondurant@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @J__Bondurant.